2018 Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference April 20-22

Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference April 20-22
Amarillo—Spark a Reaction: Go Forth and Set the World on Fire, is the theme of the 2018 Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC), set for Friday, April 20 through Sunday, April 22 in the Heritage Room of the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 South Buchanan.
 
The annual event is open to all Catholic young adults in the seventh through twelfth grades. Scheduled to appear at the DCYC are Catholic musicians Noelle Garcia, Jacob DeRusha and the JTA Band and Jim Cruise, aka, Spoon Man.
 
Registrations will be accepted at the door, with the fee $45 per person, according to
Diocesan Youth Director Oscar Guzman, who added that all late registrants must bring all forms and payments to the Civic Center at the time of registration.
 
“It’s time to come together in the Texas Panhandle to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ as the young church,” Guzman said. “We invite our youth to join us for an awesome time with God in fellowship with other youth. There will be great music, motivational keynote presentations, workshops, a powerful time of Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration and we’ll end the weekend with some fun at Wonderland Park.”
 
Registration for the Youth Conference will begin at noon at the Civic Center on April 20. Activities begin at 6:00pm with a gathering and dance, with music provided by DJ Internationals. At 8:15, the conference will continue with prayer and introductions, followed by Praise and Worship music by the JTA Band and an Opening Skit by the Youth Group from Our Mother of Mercy Church in Wellington. Jennifer Lopez with Our Mother of Mercy Church will offer a testimony entitled My Faith at 9:00, followed by the first Keynote Presentation of the conference at 9:15 by Catholic musician Jacob DeRusha, on the topic Who Am I. The evening will conclude with additional Praise and Worship led by the JTA Band, Closing Prayer and a time for small groups.

On April 21, registration begins at 8:00am, with the JTA Band providing Praise and Worship at 9:15.
 
At 10:00, a Mass for Vocations will be celebrated by Father Ron Matthews of Christ the King Church, Sunray. The Mass will be followed by a testimony by Kessly Salinas of St. Teresa of Jesus Church, Friona, and the second Keynote Presentation of the conference by Catholic musician Noelle Garcia, on the theme The Set Up—Sacramental Life.
 
After lunch, Praise and Worship music by the JTA Band will formally begin the afternoon portion of the conference at 2:00, followed by a series of workshops, including a Guys and Girls Workshop presented by DeRusha and Garcia at 4:35.
After dinner, the third Keynote Presentation of the conference is scheduled at 7:00, given by Father Juan Carlos Barragán, Parish Administrator at Blessed Sacrament Church, Amarillo and Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ Sister Ana Chiara. The theme of the address is Tending the Fire—Testimonies—Victory. The address will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, led by Father Roberto Robledo, Catholic Chaplain at BSA, Amarillo. The day will conclude with a celebration, entitled On Fire, and led by the JTA Band, Noelle Garcia, Jacob DeRusha, Jim Cruise and members of the God Squad.
 
Activities on Family Day, April 22, begin at 9:15am with Praise and Worship, followed by the final Keynote Presentation of the conference by Vince Lujan of the JTA Band, who will focus on the theme Go forth and set the world on Fire.
After the Keynote Presentation, Bishop Patrick J. Zurek will preside at a Closing Mass, followed by lunch. The conference will conclude with an afternoon at Wonderland Park. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $14.50 each. Tickets are non-refundable, but can be used at a different time, according to Guzman. For those preferring not to ride rides at Wonderland Park, $5.00 tickets can be purchased at the gate on April 22.
 
For more information on the annual DCYC at the Amarillo Civic Center, please contact Guzman at 383-2243, ext. 118 or via email, [email protected].